NFL DRAFT: Receiver might not be Eagles' No. 1 priority

Until then we won’t know if he would have selected quarterback Bo Callahan, the splash pick or Vontae Mack, the pass rusher with the first overall pick. That was the dilemma faced by mythical Cleveland Browns G.M. Sonny Weaver Jr., played by Kevin Costner.

Roseman, armed with six picks heading into the draft next Thursday, is certain of one thing. The Eagles absolutely, positively don’t feel they have to draft a wide receiver comparable to DeSean Jackson, although they’re likely to take at least one off the board at some point.

“For us we’ve got a group of players that we’ve brought back, and we signed Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper,” Roseman said Thursday. “Those were free agent signings for us. Those guys were on the open market. Those guys are guys that we’ve added to our team. We added Darren Sproles. I know DeSean had really great production here last year with 82 (receptions) for 1,300 (yards). Darren Sproles caught 71 balls. And we’re really excited to see Jeremy in this offense. We think he’s an extremely talented guy, a guy we drafted in the first round who really fits what we’re doing. For us it’s about believing in the guys we have here and at the same time being open. Keeping our eyes open and looking to improve.”

Six receivers could be selected in the first round of this draft. Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans would be long gone if the Eagles hang on to the 22nd overall pick. Odell Beckham, Brandin Cooks, Marqise Lee and Kelvin Benjamin are almost universally considered the next tier.

Interestingly Roseman sounded as if tight end Zach Ertz, who the Eagles selected because he was the top talent on the board when they picked in the second round last year, might be better than anything they could get in the bottom third of the first round.

“He’s got the ability to be a flexed-out guy,” Roseman said. “He can play with his hand down, he can play in the slot, he can line up outside. He is a hard guy to cover because he’s got really good feet. Obviously he’s big, he’s 6-5, and he’s got a great feel in the passing game.

“You talk about Zach Ertz and about Darren Sproles, who has ability to win one-on-one matchups and to play in the slot, play out of the backfield, line up wide.”

The Eagles could use help at several positions. The pass rush needs improvement. They need a classic nose tackle to play their 3-4 defense. Despite the signings of Malcolm Jenkins Nolan Carroll, the Eagles could use help at safety and cornerback.

“I think the corners have some interesting guys in terms of height, length,” said Roseman, who also thinks there is depth at offensive tackle as well as receiver. “I think those are good groups. But we thought the middle of last year’s group was very good. Every draft it’s who you pick.”

All of that said the Eagles almost certainly will choose one receiver before the three-day lottery is over basically because of the depth there.

It would be a mistake to compare whoever the guy or guys are to Jackson, who signed with the Washington Redskins after the Eagles released him in March.

“I think there will be a point in this draft,” Roseman said, “and that could be in the seventh round, when we have a guy (rated) in the fourth round – that there’s going to be a really talented receiver. But there are no guarantees.”